Walleye fishing early on Rainy River

Everything is happening earlier this spring than during most springs, including walleye fishing on the Rainy River, on the Minnesota-Ontario border.

The river is known for huge walleyes during its spring season. But usually the river is ice-covered into late March.

Word from Baudette Monday is portions of the river are fishable now, and that the river will be open all the way to Baudette by the weekend.

As of Monday, Frontier Landing (shown above), 13 miles east of Baudette, was the landing nearest to that town that was open.

Sportsman's Lodge in Baudette reports that Vidas Landing located about 7 miles east of Baudette and 3 miles from open water should be open by midweek.

Temperature Monday morning in Baudette was 62 degrees.

First reports from river anglers over the weekend are that fishing was good. Fish in the 14-19 inch range, along with those up to 26 inches, were caught. One boat of two anglers caught 40 in three hours.